posted 09-22-2013 04:58 AM               

£40.00 for a two-second photo and £100 per autograph is just too much. But when you are rushed and pushed by people who would be better placed on a nightclub door, well I have to agree no more Autographica for this family.

I did consider going we could have paid for a £100 autograph but charging £40.00 for EACH person for a photo is ridiculous! Two girls and me? £120.00?

Neil Armstrong didn't even charge to have his photograph taken with his fans! He actually said he favoured a photograph opportunity to autographs anyway (Dublin, 2003). I found meeting him the ultimate experience, not surpassed. Buzz Aldrin was very amenable too (Dublin, 2004) — free autograph and photo!

Whilst I understand the commercial nature of these events and the opportunity they offer, it is clearly the choice of people to do what they want as consumers.

posted 09-22-2013 05:10 AM               

Rusty Schweickart had by then gone to dinner and so my daughter and I worked our way to Gene Cernan, who was just chatting to one group of people and was posing for pics before he too went off to dinner. I can only thank Mr. Cernan for quickly posing for a picture as he didn't have to, but nevertheless it certainly made our day.

The Saturday got off to a great start. My copy of "All American Boys" was signed by Walt, who recognised me from the previous evening and kindly asked how we were, I then had to return to my car to fetch my Revell Command and Service module for Walt and Rusty. As I approached Walt's table I was greeted with "You again," to which he graciously signed the service module section of my module. Rusty Schweickart also did the same and kindly posed with it.

I must also add it was great to meet my good friend Mike from Swansea again. I must also say how much it good to see Dave Bryant and his good lady wife again. I can never resist but come away with something from his superb flash of items. It was also a great pleasure to meet Martin Biddulph, Carl Walker and of course Chris (Tykeanaut) and his good lady.

posted 09-22-2013 07:36 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Apollo14LMP:
Others will argue otherwise in coming posts — but sadly this is one family who will not be going to meet the Last Man on the Moon.

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The conversation that Walt engaged in when I "only" had his book to sign, was captivating — a history of the writing and comparisons with the tone of Mike Mullane's book. Contrast that with getting eight items signed by someone else, with hardly a word exchanged. I wouldn't blame the show guests, or the organisers. As much as anything, many of the "money-collectors" and desk assistants create the "give us your money/now move on" atmosphere.

posted 09-22-2013 08:16 AM               

I guess we all come to these shows with different wants and expectations based on our own past experiences. I was a relative latecomer in that I didn't start collecting till about 2007 so perhaps didn't attend the shows when some have said that more interaction was possible. I'll be honest and say I am someone who gets quite easily tongue tied around people so don't usually engage in too many conversations but I found there was enough time to chat with Walt Cunningham and Rusty Schweikert. Gene Cernan less so but he had a lengthy queue at the that stage so that wasn't a big surprise.

On the pricing, I can understand the disappointment when a family photo could end up costing something like £120, but if they start opening it up to unrestricted numbers per ticket I could see it being abused in all sorts of ways. As for the autograph prices, I thought the base fees were very reasonable (by astronaut standards) this time round. Interestingly I have just looked at the photos one of the guests signed for me yesterday and have noted that the crew position was added on at no extra cost, this wasn't because I had asked for something at the signing desk that I hadn't paid for at the cash desk so I don't know if charging extra for crew positions was an official policy or I just to lucky in this case.

I'll avoid commenting on the merits of Autographica and Pontefract as I've never been to one of the Pontesfract events so have no point of comparison. From what I understand though the two events are set up along slightly different lines so maybe no great surprise there are differences between the two. All I would say though is there will be a time, probably not a billion years away, when we won't be getting any more Apollo astronauts visiting the UK, seems a shame not to make the most of it while we can.

posted 09-22-2013 08:45 AM               

Would have paid it for Armstrong and only Armstrong, in fact paid 400 Euros to meet him but no one else is worth that money sorry.

posted 09-22-2013 08:54 AM            

Make your money, thats only fair and people always have a choice to pay or not, just don't forget that a lot of time, effort and money has taken to get someone to the signing table, let them enjoy that all to brief moment when they are there.

posted 09-22-2013 01:25 PM               

...and then there was captain Cernan's lecture. I would have paid £100 to listen to his enthusiasm, commitment and passion. Was such a shame he had to stop after only 1 1/2 hours.

posted 09-22-2013 01:32 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Tykeanaut:
Hey Rob, where did you find Fred Haise this weekend?

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To compare how the experience used to be, I remember meeting Ed Mitchell years ago and we were chatting as he signed and posed for photos. One of the guys in the queue walked forward and put his photo to be signed on the table and Ed said something along the lines of, 'One moment please, we haven't quite finished here yet'. Ah the good old days. Compare that to yesterday when I had my photos quickly scrambled out of my bag and on the table while the guy in front was having his item signed and the guy behind was being coaxed to have his item ready. Maybe I'm asking too much for my £400 pounds that I spent yesterday.

posted 09-22-2013 04:16 PM            

Terry Pappas gave a very personal talk, which has already been commented on, and it was none the worse for that. Very sincere and speaking to him later showed what a great guy he is, giving me his card so I can obtain his book on the SR71 Blackbird.

Walt Cunningham gave an interesting talk and was very honest in his answer to my question of what it was like working with Wally Schirra and said what a joker he was, full of puns.

Rusty Schweikart gave a heavier type of talk on the universe and how we relate to it and really only spoke of Apollo 9 when questioned on it but replied very thoroughly. A good thought provoking lecture.

Which brings me to Gene Cernan. I can only endorse what Ade76 posted. His enthusiasm, commitment and passion are a great description of his talk and I think everybody there appreciated it. He gave a glowing and sincere tribute to Neil Armstrong and was so honest with his long and thorough answers to some very interesting questions. I have always hoped I would meet him and was not disappointed, on the contrary, he was brilliant.

posted 09-22-2013 06:21 PM               

The weekend was, as always, well-organised, with terrific guests and plenty of opportunity for discussion and interaction.
The lectures were intriguing, revealing and superb value for money!

Well done Jason and Dave and all the team!

posted 09-22-2013 06:53 PM            

Near the end of his second talk, on Sunday, I asked him to explain what it meant to him as a former naval aviator to have landed a spacecraft on another world. His answer, spread over about ten minutes, took in the landing itself, but so much more besides. When he came to the moment of touchdown I think a lot of people in the audience realised simultaneously that we had stopped breathing.

posted 09-23-2013 08:01 AM               

For the life of me I cannot see the link.

posted 09-23-2013 08:11 AM            

You'll know what I mean if you were at the last talk of Sunday, by Gene Cernan. He ran over by at least 20 minutes. But who cares?

Gene gave one of the best talks I've heard: he spoke about his early days, his father, his colleagues including Neil. Then the room was treated to a near real time recollection of the descent and landing of Apollo 17, by the man who did it. And not just technical detail. What he saw, what he felt.

Kite and Blackarrow said it. You could hear your own heartbeat. Absolutely mesmerising.

Whatever our ages, we were all kids again in that moment, listening to one of our childhood heroes. And I'll bet I was not the only so-called grown-up who had to take a few minutes to recompose themselves at the end before leaving the room.

Outstanding.

posted 09-23-2013 08:24 AM               

There was a danger that posing for photos at the signing tables would create an expectation that Gene Cernan could/should do likewise.

With all due respect to the other guys, Gene had a queue of people almost the entire weekend. The only thing that varied was its length. People even queued while he was away at the photo shoot or giving his lecture.

Had he posed at the table and chatted at length he would still be signing... 24 hours after the show had ended.

posted 09-23-2013 08:24 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
Can somebody please point me in the direction of this link and please...

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posted 09-23-2013 03:00 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by utopia1:
Any news on who else will be attending the March show?

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posted 09-23-2013 03:09 PM               

At the Friday night drinks reception, I chatted with Shane Rimmer (Thunderbirds and Bond films) as we waited to get in! Once in, I got to meet all three astronauts.

The highlight of the whole show was meeting Walt. I talked to him about the Cunningham family, which goes back centuries in Scotland but Walt said he was descended from Ireland.

I talked to Rusty about my Apollo 12 kilt and then talked to Gene and we compared our Speedmaster watches. He has an X-33 and I have the original Apollo type. Of the three, I found him the most friendly.

Then Ken McTaggart introduced me to all three of the astronauts again!

The highlight for me was noticing an empty seat next to Captain Cernan. Then there was just a blur as Aileen zoomed in like a comet to sit next to him! The Saturday lectures were very good.

I knew that Rusty would talk about NEO and I asked him about the need for a space telescope and it turns out that is what he wanted! Gene's talk was very good at times he was in tears with emotion, as I was, to at his description of the moon and god.

The dinner was very good. I was at Terry Papass table, the Blackbird SR-71 (I also talked to him at the drinks reception. We are both big admirers of President Reagan!)

I was also sitting down next to Mr. Rumbold of "Are You Being Served?" We had a fascinating conversation about TV centre and how they made the program.

I was again reduced to tears when Patrick appeared in the slides of those we have lost in the last year.

Sunday it was amazing to hear Walt talk about the space program. I asked Rusty about his EVA as I knew he had an amazing time to look down at the earth. Terry's talk about the SR-71 was amazing, as again was Gene Cernan.

I got Walt and Rusty's autograph but could not afford Gene, but I already have an Apollo 17 photo (but it may be autopen).

posted 09-23-2013 04:46 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Blackarrow:
One of my main motivations for attending was the opportunity to listen once again to Gene Cernan talking about his experiences in NASA and particularly on the Apollo 17 mission.

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posted 09-24-2013 09:56 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
Had he posed at the table and chatted at length he would still be signing... 24 hours after the show had ended.

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That hug is worryingly enthusiastic Rick - and Gene seems to feel it!

posted 09-24-2013 03:20 PM               

I brought my girlfriend Demi over for her first show and she loved it (getting some male attention from a couple of astronauts too no less).

We flew over from Dublin (very) early on Saturday morning and looked around the hotel for a bit. I did the Cernan, Cunningham and Schweickart photo-shoots - couldn't afford the group astronaut shot unfortunately.

The hotel was as brilliant as ever and very easily accessible. We got our room key at midday on Saturday and threw some stuff up. There didn't seem to be quite as many dealers there as usual (or maybe it was just the different room which made it look that way).

Over the entire weekend, I only got autographs from Walt Cunningham (Apollo 7 staring at model litho), Rusty Schweickart (WSS litho) and Bond actor Bruce Glover. All personalized to me. I would've bought a Cernan autograph but decided to attend his Sunday lecture instead. What a treat that was - probably the best astronaut talk I have ever heard.

I am currently the Sports Editor and keen Space correspondent for my college newspaper, The University Observer of University College Dublin (UCD). Last year at Autographica I had the pleasure of interviewing Buzz Aldrin, Charlie Duke, Ed Mitchell and Dick Gordon at their signing tables when they weren't busy at the end of the day. They were fantastic experiences which I will never forget, which they were dwarfed by last weekend.

I had been in email contact with Walt Cunningham over the summer and had recently read his book and so was keen for an interview. On Saturday last he duly obliged and sat with me at his signing table for 15 minutes chatting with my recorder in hand. He is an absolute gent and I sincerely hope he comes back over again someday. Myself and Demi chatted with Walt and his lovely wife Dot for a while in the bar on the Sunday evening after things had been wrapped up - what a lovely, down to Earth couple!

On Saturday evening I got an autograph and photo with Bruce Glover (Diamonds Are Forever). An eccentric man but so nice and easy to talk to.

Then came the highlight of the weekend (and one of the highlights of my life, and no, that is not an exaggeration!) With Larry McGlynn helping out his good friend Captain Cernan at the signing table, I was fortunate enough to get 20 minutes alone with Captain Cernan in the photo-shoot room after everything had been cleared out, interviewing him about his life.

We covered many topics from landing on the Moon to his time in the Navy to the current administrations shortcomings to driving on the Moon to his recent FAA article about a runway intrusion he made. It was an absolutely magnificent 20 minutes and was only topped by seeing my good friend Larry McGlynn again. I first met Larry at Autographica when I was 15 (I turned 20 on the Saturday of this Autographica to put that into context.) As he pointed out to Capt. Cernan, he has known me since I wasn't exactly 6'3"

It was lovely to see the regular cSers again like Chris, Craig, David Bryant and others. But that one special mention must go to the one and only Larry McGlynn.

I understand some people's complaints about the money-grabbing nature, however you have the choice to pay or not. Captain Cernan was charging less here than he has been in the States so those who got signatures from him should count themselves lucky. The hike in prices of the lectures from £10 to £20 did force me to have to only go to Gene's lecture as I couldn't afford Walt or Rusty's (although Gene's was certainly worth it.)

Overall a fantastic weekend. Kudos to the Showmasters guys for making it happen - I hope myself and Demi get over to London in March.

posted 09-24-2013 03:48 PM               

Myself and Walt Cunningham:

The Last Man - not a pin dropped...

Engaged in conversation with Rusty Schweickart:

Myself and Demi with actor Bruce Glover:

posted 09-24-2013 03:49 PM               

Dot, Demi, Walt and Me...

Interviewing Captain Cernan:

Me and my hero:

Larry, Me and Gene:

posted 09-24-2013 05:21 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by gliderpilotuk:
That hug is worryingly enthusiastic Rick - and Gene seems to feel it!

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Then again, now that I think about it, Gene was reeling from the re-wire quote the "Sixshooter" had just given him!

posted 09-25-2013 04:52 AM               

What a weekend that was! As has been said, the lectures were really something special, especially Sunday's lectures. It is difficult to put in to words what all of us experienced at Gene Cernan's talk on Sunday, he really sucked us in. He really took us to another place (Yes, I know, the Moon, but I don't mean that) The best way to describe what happened to me was that I was 'gone' at certain points during it. I think the most intense part was when he described the descent to the Moon and used his hands to describe how the LM was leaning back whilst descending (We all knew this but actually seeing him describe this was something to behold.)

Terry Pappas- OMG (as the kids say, Colin)! He walked in as if going for a Sunday afternoon stroll and, in the words of a good friend, spoke as if he used to drive the number 22 bus... but what a talk!! I don't understand how anyone can talk so calmly about how he p***ed off the Russians and that they were trying to kill him. Terry Pappas was not like anyone I have ever seen before and not like anyone I have ever met. If you were in an out of control plane heading for the ground, imagine how good it would be to see him take over the controls?

I feel that I have to ask everyone if they all agree that it was good to see Rusty relax a little during Sunday's talk? He really started to enjoy himself I think, so much so that he overran his time but he didn't seem to care. He really was quite funny too.

Funniest Rusty moment:
Crowd member: "What was space sickness like?"
Rusty: "Barf."

Now then, time to talk about the mere mortals of the weekend:

Firstly, my girlfriend and I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with my friend Colin. Thanks Colin for making the weekend even more fantastic with the odd insightful comment here and many a hilarious comment there.

Dave Bryant — He called me Lee Evans, I called him Brian May and the laughs just went from there!! My girlfriend and I just loved listening to his stories and could have listened all day. A bright, bright man (AND a talented guitarist. Wow!). At this point I feel I should apologise to his lovely wife for taking up so much of his time.

Also lovely to meet Peter the crazy Dutchman/lawyer. I still can't forget his face when confronted with a straight Vodka... or his face after drinking it!!

Shane, what a pleasure it was to meet you and your girlfriend. We all enjoyed your company on Saturday night! You stated on here that you think you're punching above your weight? Well now you know that I am too! Aren't we lucky?

Also good to meet Chris (I haven't forgotten that I should have given you the brilliant David Woods Radio Four documentary 'Walking on The Moon'. I will get that to you) and good to see big Rick enjoying himself.

Rick, when I seen you at Mr Cernan's table, you have no idea how tempted I was to whisper to you "Does Ken know you're here?", tongue firmly in cheek, of course! I think it was the sight of the big lad next to you that stopped me.

Another person it was great to meet was Dave at Gene Cernan's table. He really made my girlfriend and I laugh so much. I also really loved his stories (You know the ones, Dave!)

Finally, it was great to meet the only Scott Bakula lookalike I've met who also also acts like David Walliams. What a great guy he was and if being labelled Lee Evans wasn't bad enough, being sat next to that handsome sod didn't help matters.

One final thing I'd like to ask- Robert, exactly which part of England are you from?

If I've missed anyone out then I apologise but I can only put it down to my brain still being frazzled by what happened last weekend.

posted 09-25-2013 06:48 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Buel:
Rick, when I seen you at Mr Cernan's table, you have no idea how tempted I was to whisper to you "Does Ken know you're here?", tongue firmly in cheek, of course! I think it was the sight of the big lad next to you that stopped me.

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posted 09-25-2013 08:45 AM               

Shane, I spotted you several times at the crease (batting well above your average) with Demi, and intended introducing myself.

posted 09-25-2013 10:41 AM               

Chris - Was great to meet you again and of course I would love any articles that I write to be published in the Midlands Spaceflight Society magazine! We just said a quick hello to Niki while you guys were walking past on Sunday (I think), but it's just more reason to meet up in March for a drink!

posted 09-25-2013 11:03 AM               

So many lovely people who make the whole thing so much fun: 'Buel' and his gorgeous partner, Dave and Paul (the Heathrow Crew!) Dave Shayler and team, Richard (our new 'competitor'!) Paul (Humungous!), Jason and Thomas, Howard, Brian and Margaret, Mick F, Garry (Baldyman!)

When I retire (two more shows?) I'll miss you guys the MOST!

posted 09-25-2013 11:05 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
I was given a Papal dispensation to attend!

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posted 09-25-2013 04:55 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by David Bryant:
On reflection: one of the all-time great Autographica weekends...

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